Aquador 23HT

[martinwoolwich]

A friend of mine spotted one of these at SIBS and is very interested.

He has never owned a boat before and has two young children.

He fully intends getting Dayskipper theory and practical before taking ownership. The intention is for coastal cruising at weekends. He does not want to trail and would rather keep it at a Solent marina.

Any views on the quality of this particular boat and it's suitabilty in this case would be very much appreciated.,

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[longjohnsilver]

Didn't it get a good write up in one of the mags recently? Worth doing a search on ybw.

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[Renegade_Master]

ljs is right I have MBM Aug 2003 with article on Aqaudor 36DC & 26HT very favourable write up

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.suncoastmarine.co.uk>Sun Coast Sea School & Charter</A>

 

[DepSol]

Grest boats Aquadors, good build quality and overall finish.



<hr width=100% size=1>Dom

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.soltron.co.uk>the website</A>

 

[jon_bailey]

If my memory does not desert me then the 23HT I looked at at SIBS was a fine boat apart from a VERY small mid-berth. Interesting (unique) layout with a fold down passenger seat to reveal cooker and sink. The through the cabin exit to the foredeck was also an interesting idea although not sure how practical with family.

Compared to the 26 the cabin was small with little headroom. For our size of family (small boys) we dismissed it because of size but felt it would make interesting choice for a retired couple!

Suggest you friend carefully considers how practical this boat will be for his family and also looks at the 26.



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[whisper]

I suppose it depends on what kind of boating you want to do. To my mind, having seriously looked at Aquadors in the 23-26ft HT & Cabin versions, they have too much accommodation in relation to open air space. Furthermore I don't think much of having to helm either sitting down or else with your head poking out of the roof. I think that you need to stand up to helm small boats in any kind of a sea so that you can better see the shape/height of waves. Hence my choice of a wheelshelter type which to many may be too biased in the favour of open,walkaround deck space as against living area. Aquadors appear to be well built and look good though it was hinted to me by a dealer that the boats built in the ex Searay factory in Ireland a couple of years ago were not as good as the Finnish built versions. I'd love a Botnia Targa 23 or 25, but can't put my hands on the funds without SWMBO finding out.

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[jon_bailey]

Agree with your comments about standing at the helm and for me, as a short arse, I could not even see over the top of the cabin properly.

Good to see something different though.

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[duncan]

I think the 23 tries to fit in too much and ends up over compromised in every area as a result. The 25 seems about right for the concept.
Overall they are a nice range of boats and I would like to own one. Like Whisper I have a HT currently and would like a BTarga but again the 23 just doesn't hang together, the 25 nearly manages it and the 27 is spot on for that design. After that I would probably go elsewhere again.

For the use outlined I would consider either the Antares 760 of the Ombrine 800 and some 2nd hand models are now on the market for both at the same sort of money.

<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by duncan on 20/09/2003 13:09 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[whisper]

Well then, as I also "only nearly manage it", it will have to be the 25. Wonder how much I'll have left after the divorce settlement ?

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[duncan]

I meant the 25 doesn't quite manage to make the best of the layout, etc etc.........../forums/images/icons/smile.gif
The Aquador 25 does however 'work', as does the Antares 760.

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[whisper]

Had an unwanted quick blast to Dartmouth today - Salcombe Fuel and Daylight Robbery barge was kaput even though they had the usual Open sign up. So had to zap to the Dartmouth branch of the same "organisation". All this,with the proviso that I'd have to be back at Kingsbridge by HW + 3. Mission accomplished with ease so would have had time to go instead to Brixham where it is 14 whole p. per litre cheaper. Just inside the Dart there was a Targa 25 which I managed to take time off to drool over. I'm hooked, to hell with the accomodation ! Sorry, Aquador.

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[Deleted User YDKXO]

I've always wondered if you could do yourself a very serious injury with the kind of helm where you can poke your head through the roof. You do see people helming these boats at speed. What happens if the boat suddenly hits a big wave or an underwater obstruction? Would'nt the helmsman crack his head or neck against the hatch frame and at 20knots that would hurt

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[whisper]

I think the same way. Perhaps it's a Scandinavian thing whereby their boats are used a lot on lakes and sheltered coastal waters. This perhaps is not the reason as Aquador and Finnmaster hulls are deep V and so are good in rough weather. I think the Nimbus - smaller ones, Saga and Marex are also similar so they can't be that dangerous can they ? Mind you these have semi-displacement hulls I think. Wonder if any owners are out there who can educate us ?

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[duncan]

I thought it was aesthetics combined with function that delivered the low headroom - high cockpit sole to allow mid berth, can't have HT sticking up too much but need headroom so cut a hole in it; job done and everybodys happy.
No mid berth - full standing room under the HT

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